Alice Giles returns from Antarctica
Alice Giles has recently returned from a fabulous experience in Antarctica. Alice, Harpist and Head of Harp Area at the ANU, received an Australian Antarctic Division Arts Fellowship to travel on the ‘Aurora’ to the Mawson Base in February and March 2011. Alice was accompanied on her journey by 2 harps, audio-visual recording equipment, and the music of past and present composers.
During her trip to the Mawson Base Alice performed and recorded music especially written for the journey, as well as music that was heard at the Antarctic 100 years ago. She also recorded the natural sounds of the Antarctic for composers and ANU students to use in compositional projects. Alice documented her journey, with regular updates, photos and Q&A on her blog site 'Alice in Antarctica'.
Alice is the granddaughter of Dr Cecil T. Madigan, who was a member of the First Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914. Alice is now the first Australian professional musician to perform in Antarctica, and her musical presentation at the Mawson Base celebrated the Centenary of the First Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
During her visit Alice taped footage of live performances on her electro-acoustic harp, documented works relating to Antarctica by Australian composers, and works that relate to the music connected with her grandfather’s experience in Antarctica.
Recordings of Alice's musical journey will be replayed, along with further creative musical and audio-visual additions at the 24-26 June 2011 “Antarctica Music Events” weekend at the ANU School of Music. This exciting project will take place before the “Antarctica - Music, Sound and Cultural Connections” Conference to be hosted by the ANU School of Music 27 – 29 June.
Visit the blog ALICE IN ANTARCTICAto read about Alice's journey, and for images, sounds and videos. School groups, interested musicians and commuity members can continue to interact with Alice on the blog about her travels.